Antonelli wins 2026 F1 title as youngest champion

Kimi Antonelli clinched the 2026 Formula One drivers’ championship at age 20, becoming the youngest champion in the sport’s history, according to Formula One’s account of the result. He secured the title with a third-place finish in Mexico City, at 20 years and 68 days old. The championship came in Antonelli’s second season in Formula One. His title makes him the sport’s 36th world champion and places him ahead of Sebastian Vettel, who was 23 years and 133 days old when he won his first championship in 2010. Antonelli had already set a record earlier in 2026 by taking pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix while still a teenager. He also won that race, which the account describes as his maiden victory. Those results moved him into second place on the all-time list of youngest Grand Prix winners, behind Max Verstappen. During the season, Antonelli emerged as Mercedes’ lead driver under a new era of regulations and pulled away from teammate George Russell in the standings, the account said. His third place in Mexico City then confirmed the championship. No points totals or details of the remaining title contenders’ results were included in the account. Vettel had held the...